According to Dr. Tracy Prince’s book Portland’s Goose Hollow, Goose Hollow is “one of Portland’s oldest neighborhoods; Goose Hollow is steps from downtown and beloved for its quirky character, historic homes, spectacular views, and walkability.

Over a century ago, the actual “hollow” was dramatically altered when the meandering Tanner Creek, in a deep gulch with several trestle bridge crossings, was diverted underground and infilled. The creek’s presence is still felt in the ravine carved through the Tualatin Mountains (spanned by the Vista Bridge) and in the neighborhood’s identity.”

While the neighborhood has now less than half the housing stock it had thirty years ago, it remains one of the most densely populated parts of the city. Its attractiveness as a place to live has much to do with this association’s insistence on maintaining a pedestrian environment and rebuilding a community focus lost in a period of dislocation and changing patterns of urbanization accompanying the development of urban freeways. Recent trends are toward rebuilding the neighborhood’s housing stock with new units exceeding demolitions in the 1990’s.

The Westside MAX public art program added the vision of over 20 artists to the planning and design of the light-rail system, resulting in the installation of over 100 art elements along the Westside line. Here in Goose Hollow many residents, students, and businesses contributed to the art found at the Civic Stadium, Kings Hill, and Goose Hollow stations. View the art at the MAX Train website.

History of Goose Hollow

The Goose Hollow Foothills League Neighborhood Association is host to five historic residential communities. These consist of an uptown area of older brick apartment houses and residential hotels, mixed with commercial and light industrial activities that we have called the Lownsdale area. Another area called Kings Hill once hosted the residences of Portland’s turn of the century wealthier merchants, now partly infilled with higher density apartments and offices.

Goose Hollow itself, is the site of a creek, long since buried, that was the primary residence for a substantial goose population in the late nineteenth century. It is an outskirt of downtown that mixed commercial, residential, industrial, and highway commercial activities in an area that had been family farms and Portland suburbs before the automobile.

Gander Ridge and Vista Ridge are at the foot of Portland Heights and at the edge of the bowl that makes downtown Portland and Goose Hollow.

Tracy Prince’s book, Portland’s Goose Hollow (see above book cover), “uncovers the little-known history of one of Portland’s oldest and most-loved neighborhoods. The book’s foreword is written by the legendary character, former mayor, and Goose Hollow resident Bud Clark. The book provides definitive answers to how Goose Hollow got its name and how Tanner Creek, long since buried. Stories are also told of the Great Plank Road, City Park’s slow-moving landslide, and famous residents such as Daniel Lownsdale, C. E. S. Wood, Dr. Marie Equi, John Reed, and Bud Clark. Historic institutions such as Civic Stadium, Multnomah Athletic Club, Lincoln High School, and Washington Park are also featured.”

Origin of the Name Goose Hollow

Goose Hollow was named after the geese that were allowed to roam freely throughout the neighborhood and in the 20 block long — two blocks wide — 50′ deep Tanner Creek Gulch (now infilled). A gulch is also known as a hollow. In 1875, residents in the neighborhood owned some 75 free-roaming geese that got together for an impromptu meeting, confusing who owned which feathered friend. The police intervened, and then a judge had to step in and divide up the geese.

Schools in the Goose Hollow Neighborhood

Find your school attendance area or a school site and view the boundary area usingSchool Locator. Read how to use the interactive map by clicking on the “Information” icon (circle with an “i” in the center).

School Report CardReport Cards for schools and districts in Oregon. Select “Portland SD 1J” to view individual schools within the Portland Public School District.

Goose Hollow Home Styles

Goose Hollow has every type of home to include apartment buildings, condos, townhomes, and a few detached single-family homes (many of these are listed on the National Register of Historic Places). Some apartment buildings have been converted into condos, and new condos were also built in the 2000s. The west side of the neighborhood has some beautiful historic large homes. Over 80 percent of the residents reside in an apartment, and this number is increasing. Much of the apartment living is by students at Portland State University which is just across the I-405 freeway from Goose Hollow. The 2000 census: 67.1% of the households have one person per household.

The King’s Hill Historic District is bounded by W. Burnside Street, SW Canyon Road, SW 21st Street and Washington Park. Within the 430 acres, the historic district is 105 buildings to include many homes. The styles of these homes include Late Victorian, late 19th and early 20th Century American Movements, and late 19th and 20th Century Revivals.

Portland Monthly Magazine Guide to Neighborhoods

In their April issue every year, the Portland Monthly Magazine features the past year home prices along with information about Portland neighborhoods and suburban communities. To read the magazine’s latest stories and numbers visit the Real Estate section.

We urge you to purchase the print copy of the magazine even though the website offers more details about a neighborhood or community because the print copy has a handy fold-out that you can read and use as a reference if you’re in the market for a home. The magazine is available in supermarkets, drug stores, etc. You can subscribe to the magazine and receive a copy (monthly) in the mail.

The numbers on the website, as well as the printed magazine, are divided into four sections (real estate, people, crime, and lifestyle) into each of the Portland 90 plus neighborhoods as well as about 25 suburban communities. The website offers over 50 items of information about each Portland neighborhood and suburban community.

To view the magazine’s website latest stories and numbers visit their Real Estate section — click on “Neighborhoods” to view the numbers for the Portland neighborhoods and click on “Suburbs” for the numbers on communities in the metro area.

Portland Neighbors By the Numbers Note that the item you select displays the year the information is published. For example, if you select “2017 Demographics and Home Prices” the magazine will display “2018 . . .” since that is the year the magazine publishes the 2017 numbers.

Goose Hollow Demographics Below are some facts about the Goose Hollow neighborhood gleaned from the magazine’s website. A few numbers can tell much about the character of a neighborhood. You can view more data about Goose Hollow by visiting the Portland Monthly’s website.

1Goose Hollow Home Prices: 2007-2017

Number of Homes Sold in Goose Hollow—► 80 homes sold in 2017 and 93% were condos — no distress sales. 102 homes sold in 2016 and 89% of these were condos — 1% were distress property sales. 119 homes sold in 2015 and 93% of these were condos — 4% were distress property sales. 92 homes sold in 2014 and 93% of these were condos — 4% were distress property sales. 84 homes sold in 2013 and distressed property sales were seven percent. 90 homes sold in 2012 and distressed property sales were 34%. 73 homes sold in 2011 and distressed properties sales were 32%. 66 homes sold in 2010 and distressed properties sales were 26%. Most homes sold in Goose Hollow are condos.

Median Price for Homes Sold in Goose Hollow—► $378,750 in 2017, $355,000 in 2016, 302,000 in 2015, $263,750 in 2014, $255,000 in 2013, $229,450 in 2012, $200,000 in 2011, $312,500 in 2010, $282,500 in 2009, $292,000 in 2008, and $279,300 in 2007.

Average Cost per Square Foot—► $369 in 2017, $348 in 2016, $322 in 2015, $278 in 2014.

1-Year Median Sales Price Change in Goose Hollow—► 2016 the change was 7%. 2015 to 2016 the change was 15%. 2014 the change was 14.5%. 2013 the change was 3%. 2012 the change was 11%. 2011 the change was 15%. 2010 the change was -31%. 2009 the change was 15%.

5-Year Median Sales Price Change in Goose Hollow—► 2013 to 2017 the median sales price change was 49%. 2012 to 2016 the median sales price change was 55%. 2011 to 2015 the median sales price change was 51%. 2010 to 2014 the median sales price change was -12%. 2009 to 2013 the change was -15%. 2008 to 2012 the change was -24%. 2007 to 2011 the change was -28%. 2006 to 2010 the change was 16%.

Metro Area Average and Median Home Prices in 2017—► Average price $379,900 and median price $428,700. Click here to view prices for previous years.

Please be aware that the above figures are subject to error and are intended as guidelines only.

Find a Home in Goose Hollow

Homes for Sale in the Goose Hollow Neighborhood — View on all devices except Apple® mobile devices. To view homes for sale in Goose Hollow on Apple® mobile devices key in “Goose Hollow” in the “Location” field and click on the “Search Now” icon.

Parks and Health Clubs in Goose Hollow

Providence Park (former Jeld-Wen Field) is a sports facility located on the north edge of Goose Hollow. It’s home to the Portland Timbers professional soccer team. The Timbers joined the Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2011. The former multi-purpose stadium was renovated in 2010-2011 for soccer and football at the cost of $31 million.

The stadium was originally built in 1926 and has undergone some transformations over the years. Not only is the stadium home to the Timbers, but some other teams and events call Providence Park home. Portland State University plays its home football games at the park, and Portland State women’s soccer program also plays some games at the stadium.

The Multnomah Club is a private health and social club located next to PGE Park, and its facility is about 350,000 square feet. It has multiple swimming pools, gyms, and restaurants. It is undoubtedly the premier health club in the metro area and the Pacific Northwest.

Washington Park is located on the west edge of Goose Hollow, and you will find many Goose Hollow residents running, hiking, and enjoying all of its attractions.

Goose Hollow has one acre of parkland and open spaces according to Metro and the Portland Department of Parks and Recreation.

MAX Line Makes Living Easy in Goose Hollow

A benefit of living in Goose Hollow is the access to the MAX Light Rail trains. They come rolling right through the neighborhood. Whether you commute to downtown or west to Beaverton or Hillsboro, it’s an easy walk down the to a MAX stop from most parts of the neighborhood. If you work downtown, you could walk to work downtown or bike very easily. If you don’t want to take the MAX or walk, there’s bus service in the community.

Local Institutions: Goose Hollow Inn and Leaky Roof Pub & Grill

The name alone will entice you to stop in for a pint and sandwich: Leaky Roof! Here is what the Portland Monthly Magazine had to say about the pub: “If this modest beer house and eatery were any better camouflaged, even bloodhounds would have trouble sniffing it out. Tucked inside a bland yellow bungalow on SW Jefferson St, the Leaky Roof has been tracking Goose Hollow foot traffic since 1947. The cozy corner bar has a fair number of beers and assorted spirits, but the wall of whiskey draws the most attention.”

You can lunch with former Portland Mayor Bud Clark at his Goose Hollow Inn. As mayor, “Bud” Clark created the nationally recognized 12-Point Homeless Plan, supported the growth of mass transit, including the MAX Light Rail line to Hillsboro, Oregon, aided downtown development, and initiated and led the campaign to build the Oregon Convention Center. Clark also sanctioned The Mayor’s Ball, an annual charity event featuring independent musicians from all over the Northwest. It could be argued that The Mayor’s Ball was instrumental in building a music scene that helped to fuel the Nineties’ grunge movement.

The tavern owner served eight years (1985 – 1992) and now has returned to running his tavern called Goose Hollow Inn. It has a pleasant deck where you can drink away your frustrations with the rest of the City Hall roustabouts. The Hollow’s Reuben sandwich is always a winner. The Goose Hollow is located at 1927 SW Jefferson Street.

Money Magazine: Goose Hollow is one of the Best Places to Retire

The October 2007 issue of Money Magazine named the Goose Hollow neighborhood as one of the best places to retire. The article states that “Goose Hollow is walking distance to Washington Park, which is home to the Japanese Garden, the International Test Rose Garden, and the Hoyt Arboretum. As one of the original residential areas in Portland, Goose Hollow is marked by turn-of-the-century homes.”

Goose Hollow Video

Here’s a video of life in Goose Hollow. It’s fun to get a look at the neighborhood buildings and haunts.

Walking in Goose Hollow

Here are some walking tours in the downtown area of Portland:

Public Art Walking Tour The Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) along with the Portland Oregon Visitors Association have a Public Art Walking Tour map/brochure — a colorful guide to nearly 100 public art pieces in downtown Portland and the near eastside. This free brochure is available at Portland-area visitor centers or by calling RACC at (503) 823-5111. You can also download a copy by clicking here.

Walking Tour to Pittock Mansion This 2.8-mile walk begins in Northwest Portland and climbs some of the city’s longest staircases through Westover Heights. It ends at the Pittock Mansion, a restored French Renaissance Revival Chateau. The home, its grounds, and fabulous views are open to the public. Click here to download the guide.

Walking Tour Nob Hill and the Pearl District This 3.3-mile walk begins at Moda Park, and it takes you through historic neighborhoods to shops, galleries, restaurants, and theaters in the Pearl District and Nob Hill. Click here to download the guide.

Walk Score helps you find a walkable place to live. Walk Score is a number between 0 and 100 that measures the walkability of any address. Portland is the 14th most walkable city in the U.S. with a Walk Score of 63, a Transit Score of 50 and a Bike Score of 72. There are over 3,000 restaurants and coffee shops in Portland. People in Portland can walk to an average of five restaurants and coffee shops in five minutes.

The Walk Score for the Goose Hollow neighborhood is 92, the Transit Score is 81, and the Bike Score is 80.

Goose Hollow

Walker’s Paradise

More About Goose Hollow

Learn more about the Goose Hollow neighborhood by visiting Portland Maps. The site gives you a list of businesses, demographic data, crime stats, parks, schools, aerial photos, maps, elevation, and more for the Goose Hollow neighborhood. All you need is a property address — use “1844 SW Salmon Street” or an address of your choice.

Topography Flat with mature trees in yards and parks. There is a slight rise in elevation going from east to west.

Sidewalks and Streets Goose Hollow has sidewalks for walking except for some winding roads in the south part of the neighborhood. Most of the streets have parked cars lining them.

Public TransportationTriMet has 10 bus lines in Goose Hollow. The MAX light rail line rolls right through the center of the neighborhood (three stops). No streetcars in Goose Hollow. Transit Score provides a 0-100 rating indicating how well an address is served by public transportation. Ratings range from “Rider’s Paradises” to areas with limited or no nearby public transportation.

Commuting 15.2% of the neighborhood residents commute using public transportation, 5.5% by biking, and 25.8% walk.

Sex Offenders Click here for the State of Oregon Sex Offender Inquiry System. After agreeing to the “Conditions of Use Statement,” you will be redirected to an “Enter Search Criteria” page. Insert a zip code in the “Zip” field and click on the “Query” button. Goose Hollow zip code(s): 97201, 97205, 97209.

5Shopping and Services Number of supermarkets: 1 (Zupan’s Market). Number of health clubs: 1. Number of coffee shops: 6. The supermarket numbers are somewhat misleading as residents have access to numerous food markets just across West Burnside to include Fred Meyer, Trader Joe’s on NW Glisan, Whole Foods closer to downtown, and City Market on NW 21st Avenue.

Farmers Markets The Wednesday market is held between SW Salmon and Main streets on Wednesday, May-October. The Saturday market is held at the South Park Blocks by Portland State University between SW Park and Montgomery streets on Saturday, March-October — also from 9 am – 2 pm November-December. The Northwest District/Nob Hill market is between NW 19th Avenue and Everett Street, Thursdays, June-September. More information at Portland Farmers Market.

Eating Out Most residents hike across Burnside to the Northwest District or downtown. If you want food in Goose Hollow, you can get one of the best Reuben sandwich on the West Coast at the Goose Hollow Inn located at 1927 SW Jefferson Street. The Hotel deLuxe has a restaurant — called Gracie’s after comedian Gracie Allen — and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is located at 729 SW 15th Avenue. Most residents head across Burnside and dine in the Nob Hill neighborhood.

Who Lives in Goose Hollow Students from Portland State University who rent, young folks who want to be close to downtown, and empty nesters who like condo living. About two-thirds of the residents are under 40 years of age. The median age is 36.

What They Drive in Goose Hollow SUVs and luxury autos at the detached single-family homes and a mix of autos at apartments and condos. Many Portland State University students bike to class.

6Biking and Walking The Goose Hollow neighborhood has 1.3 miles of bike lanes. Walk score is 93.

What’s in the Recycle Bin Pinot Noir wine bottles and Tanqueray gin on the west side of the neighborhood. Beer bottles in the apartments houses (PSU college students).

Map of the Goose Hollow Neighborhood

1Real Estate Values Data on real estate values provided by RMLStm. Distressed properties refer to the percentage of total homes sold that were short sales and bank-owned properties. The One Year Median Sale Price Percent Change is based on a comparison of the rolling average sale price for the last 12 months with the 12 months before — this is an example for 2014: (1/1/2014 – 12/31/2014) with 12 months before (1/1/2013 – 12/31/2015). The Five Year Median Sales Price Percent Change is calculated in the same way using a five-year time span.2Drive Time to Downtown Estimated commuting time obtained from Yahoo Maps and Google Maps. Drive time was calculated from a central intersection in each neighborhood to Pioneer Courthouse Square during the morning peak commute time.3Demographics Data Numbers were obtained from Census 2010 and www.portlandmaps.com.4Crime Statistics Numbers on crime were obtained from the Portland Police Bureau. The Uniform Crime Reports documents crimes in three categories: Part I, Part II-A, and Part II-B. Part I crimes are classified as either violent or property crimes. Aggravated assault, forcible rape, murder, and robbery are classified as violent while arson, burglary, larceny, theft from auto and motor vehicle theft are classified as property crimes. Part II-A crimes are drugs, embezzlement, forgery, fraud, prostitution, sex offenses, simple assault, stolen property, vandalism, and weapons. Crimes per 1,000 figures are based on reported incidents of violent crime as well as larceny, burglary, and vehicle theft. For the latest crime statistics and historical data for the Portland neighborhoods, visit the Portland Police Bureau website.5Shopping and Services Numbers were determined from local directory listings and county/municipal library systems.6Biking Quality Rating based on the 2007 Cycle Zone Analysis conducted by the City of Portland Office of Transportation. The six-tier ratings have been reduced to three levels: High, Fair, and Low.